Tagging device



Oct, 10, 1939.

wQc. McDERMoT-r 2,175,633

TAGGING DEVICE v Filed Jan. 6, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l 2/ il 25 lllllllllllllllllllllnn zo' Z/ 2.55 2a IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII nmnmnmmnl gmc/nm mmf Oct. 10, 1939. w C, MCDERMOTT 2,175,633

TAGGING DEVICE Filed Jan. e, 1958 's sneets-sheet 2 3 wucwto/r,

Oct. 10, 1939. w Q MCDERMQTT v 2,175,633

TAGGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 6, -1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

The invention relates to devices for aixing price tags, and merchandise data tags, to merchandise.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide such a device that is simple in design, and easy to use.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings showing illustrative embodiments of the invention.

One such further object of my invention is to provide a process for attaching tags to merchandise which comprises hooking in the material of such merchandise a loop attached to a tag, spreading the loop without releasing it, grasping the tag without releasing the loop, and drawing through the loop the tag so grasped.

In said drawings Figure l is a side elevation of one form of my device. Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of a modified form of my device. Figures 4 and 5 are side elevations showing variations in the needle portion of my device. Figure 6 is a plan view of still another modied form of my device. Figures 7 to 12, both inclusive', are detail views illustrating the steps in, and manner of, use of my device. Figure 13 shows a plan view of a further modification of my invention. Figure 14 is a side elevation of the modification shown in Figure 13. section taken on line I5-l5 of Figure 13.

The attaching of price and merchandise tags to stock as practiced at the present time is a tedious time consuming operation for the reason that it is rst necessary to get the tag loop through the material, and then by use of the bare hands to open the loop by separating the strands forming the said loop, insert the tag through the loop, and pull the tag loop through the material until the resulting loop is too small to permit the tag to be unthreaded therethrough. This is also true where the tags are attached through buttonho1es,lfor in such cases the tag loop, the strands of which tend to adhere to each other, must be opened with the ngers after it is inserted through the button-hole, the tag inserted therethrough, and then pulled taut.

My invention overcomes the above objections by inserting through the material a hand pressed, closed divided hook member Whose elements are normally spring separated, catching the tag loop on said hook, retracting said hook member together with the hooked loop through the material, releasing the pressure on said hook elements l'without releasing the loop strands from said hook elements, thereby opening the loop, and passing the tag through this opened loop, then nally drawing the loop taut.

Several forms of my device for carrying out, or performing, the aforesaid steps, but all involv- Figure l5 is a ing the same generic idea, are shown in the drawings in which the same element is identified by the same reference character. In each of the several forms of my device shown in Figures 1 to 5, reference numeral designates the tool as a whole which is composed of members 2l, having Shanks 22 so tempered and joined as to constitute springs. Said members 2| have knurled hand grips 24, and slender needle portions 25 terminating in pointed hooks 26. In the preferred form of my device members 2l are so secured together as to ensure that in the normal, or inoperative, position the terminal hooks 26 are spaced apart from an inch to an inch and a half in order to ensure the opening of the tag loop as noted above. It is, however, within the scope of my invention to so form my device that the needle portions will be closed when in the inoperative position, in which event hand-pressure will open them. This spacing of members 25 and terminal hooks 26 is effected in that form of my device shown in Fig. 3 by means of the compass spring 2l.

In that form of my device shown in Fig. 4 the general configuration is the same as that disclosed in Fig. l. Needle member 25 however is provided with a curve 25a to enable the needle portion to be more readily inserted in iiat material. In Fig. 5 is disclosed a further modification of the needle members 25 in which the needle members are curved upward from the top plane oi members 2l as indicated at 25D. The purpose of this construction is also to enable the. needle portion to be more easily inserted in flat material.

The meeting faces of needle members contiguous to hooks Z6 are knurled as indicated at 2l for a purpose to appear later.

In that form of my device shown in Fig. 6, the needle members 25e and 25d are indicated collectively as 25e. Needle member 25c is secured in handle 28, and has hinged thereto at 29, needle member 25d. Member 25d has an. operating or trigger portion 3U. Handle 28 has a. recess 3i formed therein into which trigger 30 fits when the needle portions are closed for insertion in stock. Housed in recess 3| is a coil spring 32 which so engages trigger 3d as force the needle members 25C and 25d apart for the purpose indicated above. While the spring 32 is shown as a coil spring it is obvious that the same results would be attained by the use of a leaf spring.

In that form of my device shown in Fig. i3 the needle members 25j are formed integrally with handles 33 pivotally connected at 34. The needle members are held closed when inoperative by spring 35.

In each form of my device the needle portion is substantially round in cross-section when its members are pressed together, as when about to be inserted in material.

The manner of use of my novel tagging device is graphically set forth in Figs. '7 to 12, both inclusive. In explanation, if the tag 33 is to be attached to fiat material remote from the margin, the material 35 is squeezed in one hand while the needle members are pressed together with the other hand and thrust through the fold of the material resulting from said squeezing action, then through the loop of the tag cord 34. The hooks 26 catch said cord, and the cord is drawn through the material as the tool is withdrawn, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Pressure on the tool is relaxed and the members 25 immediately assume the position shown in Fig. 9, the cord being retained on hooks 26, thereby forming a large loop through which the tag is readily inserted. This is accomplished by slightly compressing members 25 and moving them rapidly forward into registry with tag 33, then quickly compressing said members 25 into gripping contact with the tag and drawing same through the aforesaid loop. It is of course possible to thread the tag through the aforesaid loop as indicated in Fig. 10, the tag 33 is then pulled, causing the loop of cord 34 to be forced close to the material When tags are to be attached to material through button-holes, as indicated at 35 in 12, the procedure is much the same as that just described. However, since there is no appreciable frictional engagement of tag cord Sil with material 35, there is a tendency for said cord 34 to slip olf the hooks 26, and fall out of the buttonhole. Trial experience has taught that when the loop of oord 36 has been enlarged as indicated in Fig. 9 members 25 may be slightly compressed and moved rapidly forward into engagement with the tag 33, then further compressed so as to ensure a firm grip on said tag, and finally rapidly withdrawn, whereby the tendency of the cord to drop out of the button-hole is overcome.

To ensure a good grip on the tag needle elements 25 are knurled as indicated at 2l. The knurled hand grips 24 aid in the tagging operation by preventing slipping of the hand. It is obvious that my device may be made with the needle members crossed in scissors manner, and said members may be either spring closed or spring separated, the essence of the invention residing in separable hook-pointed needle members.

Having fully described the structure of my novel tagging device and the manner in which it is used, what I claim as new and useful is:

1. A tagging device comprising joined separable needle members operable in one plane, said members having terminal hooks opening in planes at right angles to the plane of the separable members.

2. A tagging device comprising a needle portion formed with two joined and registering members separable in a common plane, each of said members having a hook at its operative end, said hooks opening in planes at right angles to the plane of the separable members.

3. A tagging device comprising a grip portion and a needle portion, said needle portion formed of two equal and separable parts and separable in a common plane, each of said needle portions terminating in a hook at its outer or operative end, the openings of said hooks opening in planes at right angles to the plane of the separable members.

4. A tagging device comprising a grip portion and a needle portion, said needle portion formed of two equal, separable and registering parts and operable in a common plane, said parts being spring actuated and each terminating in a hook at its outer end, each of said hooks opening in a plane at right angles to the plane of the separable members.

5. A tagging device comprising a grip portion and a needle portion, said needle portion formed of two equal, separable and registering parts and operable in a common plane, said parts being spring actuated and each terminating in a hook at its outer end, each hook opening in aplane at right angles to the aforesaid plane of operation, each needle portion being knurled on its inner face near its outer end.

6. A tagging device comprising, in combination: a pair of hooked needles operable in a common plane and hingedly connected for relative motion from and toward contacting position, whereby to hook a tag loop through goods to be tagged, and to then spread the loop for tag insertion, said hooks opening in planes at right angles to the plane of operation.

7. A tagging device comprising, in combination: a grip portion; a pair of needle elements relatively operable toward and from each other in a common plane to positions of Contact and separation, each of said elements terminating in a hook whose plane of opening is at right angles to the plane of operation; spring means to urge said elements to normal relative position whereby said elements when in contact may be pushed through goods to hook and pull through such goods a tag loop to be spread by separation of said elements, between which spread portions of the loop the tag may be inserted and grasped to complete the act of tagging.

8. A tagging device comprising, in combination: a pair of needle members hingedly oonnected for relative movement in a common plane to and from contacting position, each member having a terminal hook whose opening is at right angles to the aforesaid plane of movement; and spring means to hold said members normally in a separated position.

9. A tagging device comprising, in combina tion: a pair of hooked needle members hingedly connected for relative movement in a common plane to and from contacting position, the hooks of said members opening in planes at right angles to said plane of movement; and spring means to hold said members normally in contact.

l0. A tagging device comprising joined separable needle members operable in acommon plane, said members being provided with terminal hooks opening in the same direction, the planes of said hooks being at right angles to the plane of operation.

1l. A taggingv device comprising joined, separable, and registering needle members lying and operable in the same plane, said members being each provided with a terminal hook, said hooks opening in the same direction, the planes of the hooks being at right angles to the plane of the.

separable members.

WALLACE C. MCDERMOTT. 

